Good news! Queensland chooses farmers over red tape

“It’s fantastic that common sense prevailed and the Queensland parliament put farmers ahead of red tape,” said Daniel Wild, research fellow with the Institute of Public Affairs.

The Palaszczuk government’s proposed changes to native vegetation would have prevented high-value agricultural land from being developed, made farmers potentially liable for following the mistaken advice of bureaucrats, reversed the onus of proof and have been implemented retrospectively.

Queensland parliament voted down the laws this evening.

“Farmers and communities have won out against far left green groups and unionised Brisbane-based bureaucrats. This is good for jobs, investment and growth in Queensland,” said Mr Wild.

The Institute of Public Affairs have strongly opposed the laws, making a detailed submission to the inquiry relating to the Vegetation Management (reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

“Allowing these laws to continue to operate will support the 65,500 workers and 30,500 businesses in the sector without jeopardising environmental outcomes.”

“It’s important to remember that there has only been a 0.6 per cent increase in the amount of land cleared for agricultural purposes since 2013. But green groups ran a relentless misinformation campaign claiming that biodiversity had been decimated. This is just not true.”

“We are already a vastly over regulated society. Red tape is costing the economy $176 billion each year. It’s important that calls to increase this imposition are defeated,” said Mr Wild.